LME aluminium prices gained ground on November 4, with cash and futures contracts moving higher. The Asian Reference Price also edged up, while exchange inventories declined. Alumina Platts prices, however, moved slightly lower. The cash bid rose by USD 53.50 per tonne , or 1.74 per cent, to USD 3,134.50 per tonne from USD 3,081 per tonne. The cash offer increased 1.72 per cent to USD 3,135 per tonne from USD 3,082 per tonne. Three-month aluminium prices also advanced. The bid climbed 1.08 per cent to USD 3,073 per tonne on November 4 from USD 3,040 per tonne, while the offer gained 1.05 per cent to USD 3,074 per tonne. It was previously at USD 3,042 per tonne . Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market...
Global primary aluminium production experienced a sequential recovery in the third quarter of 2026, supported by the gradual restoration of disrupted smelting capacity in the GCC countries, stronger operational performance in Europe and Oceania, and incremental production gains across Asia and China. But beneath this quarterly improvement lies a contrasting reality - global output remained below the corresponding levels of both 2025 and 2024. According to data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), global primary aluminium production reached 18.377 million tonnes in Q3 2026, an increase of 2.1 per cent from 18.003 million tonnes in the preceding quarter. However, compared with Q3 2025, when production totalled 18.683 million tonnes, output declined by 1.64 per cent. Production...
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As the year 2018 wrapped up and 2019 has started, AlCircle is coming up with a comprehensive Aluminium Industry Recap 2018 . The recap will give you an opportunity to look back at the significant developments that shaped or disturbed the industry value chain. This edition of Aluminium Industry Recap 2018 aims to touch upon the major developments vertical wise, which influenced each other driving growth or counter growth. We also touched upon the major projects, collaborations, investments and divestments, expansions and also the policy changes. The developments are not only analysed chronologically but also analytically so that you can draw a conclusion on how the entire value chain moved together to bring about a turnaround in the market. Trump’s 10% tariffs on the import of aluminium...
China produced 3.05 million tonnes of primary aluminium in December 2018, up 8.2 percent from 2.82 million tonnes in November and up 11.3 percent from December 2017, according to data published by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). <iframe width="540" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fmEaCNAAIxs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> The total aluminium production in 2018 stood at 35.8 million tonnes up 7.4 percent from the previous annual record in 2017, the NBS data showed. On a daily basis, the world’s top aluminium maker produced almost 98,400 tonnes of aluminium in December, up from 94,000 tonnes in November and also a record high, according to Reuters calculations....
The US dollar registered its first weekly gain since mid-December as US-China trade optimism lifted investor sentiment. Base metals increased across the board in the LME and SHFE. LME aluminium grew nearly 1% and SHFE aluminium jumped 1.34%. LME alminium closed last week at US$ 1851 per tonne, the highest in the week. Stronger than expected US industrial output data boosted LME aluminium, which settled at US$1,870 per tonne after increasing to a high of US$1,879.5 per tonne on Friday night. Open interests grew 1,898 lots to 666,000 lots. The contract is expected to trade at US$1,855-1,885 per tonne today. As on January 18, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1850 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1851 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1857 per tonne,...
A00 aluminium ingot price stood at RMB13410 per tonne on January 21, up RMB50 per tonne from RMB13360 per tonne as of January 18. The average prices today are expected to range between RMB 13390 per tonne and RMB 13430 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 90-50 per tonne. Aluminium ingot prices in the East Wuxi and Hangzhou increased by RMB 65 per tonne and RMB 50 per tonne to stand at RMB 13415 per tonne and RMB 13410 per tonne, respectively. In the South and North, the price rose by RMB 70 per tonne and RMB 50 per tonne to stand at RMB 13450 per tonne and RMB 13420 per tonne respectively. Prebaked anode prices in northwest and southwest China dropped RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 3900 and RMB 3800 per tonne, price of prebaked anode in central China declined by RMG130 per tonne to...
The US dollar started the week flat and registered some gains mid-week. The US dollar index jumped to 96.26, the highest since January 4 on January 16, after data showed that economic growth in Germany slowed in 2018. LME aluminium started the week at the lowest in month at US$ 1775.5 per tonne and regained some losses over the week. The contract saw another low trading day on January 17 and closed at US$ 1804 per tonne. After closing Thursday’s trading lower, LME aluminium traded rangebound and continued upward overnight. The contract rose to hit the 20-day moving average, or US$1,856 per tonne, buoyed by higher prices of crude oil. The contract wrapped up trading at US$ 1851 on Friday. The contract is likely to trade at US$1,810-1,865 per tonne in the coming week. As on January 18, LME...
Rio Tinto’s aluminium production for the fourth quarter of 2018 stood at 874,000 tonnes, one per cent lower compared with the corresponding period of 2017. Aluminium production in 2018 was three per cent lower than 2017. Rio Tinto produced 3.5 million tonnes of aluminium. The decline in production was due to an ongoing lock-out at the non-managed Becancour smelter, which began on 11 January 2018, and a power interruption at Dunkerque Aluminium in the first quarter. The company completed the sale of its aluminium smelter at Dunkerque, France, to Liberty House for $0.4 billion on 14 December 2018. Production of 0.2 million tonnes is reflected up until this date. In 2018, average realised aluminium prices were $2,470 per tonne (2017: $2,231 per tonne). This includes premiums for value-added...
The US dollar increased against the euro, which was dragged lower by weak economic data, while the pound gained on hopes of a second Brexit referendum. Base metals ended mixed and LME aluminium gained 0.57%. SHFE aluminium edged down. After closing Thursday’s trading lower at US$ 1804 per tonne, LME aluminium traded rangebound and continued upward overnight. The contract rose to hit the 20-day moving average, or US$1,856 per tonne, buoyed by higher prices of crude oil. It settled around the 10-day moving average at US$1,852 per tonne. It is likely to trade at US$1,840-1,865 per tonne today. As on January 17, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1803 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1804 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1827 per tonne, 3-months offer...
Alcoa Corporation projects a global aluminium deficit ranging between 1.7 million and 2.1 million metric tonnes with global demand growth in a range of 3 to 4%. Total aluminium shipments are expected to be between 2.8 and 2.9 million tonnes, which reflects the expiration of a can sheet tolling agreement in the flat-rolled business. The tolling agreement’s expiration should have a negligible impact on Adjusted EBITDA for the year. The company anticipates favourable impacts from spot prices for raw materials to be fully offset by higher energy costs in the first quarter, and to be partially offset for the remainder of the year.” Based on current alumina and aluminium market conditions, Alcoa expects an annual operational tax rate ranging from 45 to 55 percent. President and Chief Executive...
Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products, announced fourth quarter and full-year 2018 results. The company reported net income of $227 million in 2018, from $217 million in 2017.Excluding special items, adjusted net income stood at $675 million. Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $3.1 billion, up 27% from the $2.4 billion in 2017 on higher alumina and aluminium prices, partially offset by higher costs for raw materials and energy and increased maintenance expense. President and Chief Executive Officer Roy Harvey said: “Our 2018 results reflect how we’ve made Alcoa stronger. We’ve built upon the progress we made since our launch, and by executing our strategic priorities to reduce complexity, drive returns, and strengthen the balance sheet,...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, stood at 1.264 million tonnes as of Thursday January 17, down 18,000 tonnes from Thursday January 10. Compared to last Thursday, stocks in Wuxi, Jiangsu and Shanghai dropped by about 16,000 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes to stand at 492,000 tonnes and 301,000 tonnes while stocks in Nanhai, Guangdong and Hangzhou, Zhejiang increased by some 6,000 tonnes and 3,000 tonnes to stand at 159,000 tonnes and 108,000 tonnes. Inventory in Gongyi, Henan decreased to 110,000 tonnes. The below chart indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China: Limited cargoes arrived at social warehouses this week and downstream consumers stockpiled...
The US dollar rose against the euro as the market grew concerned about economic growth in the eurozone. Base metals closed mixed last night. LME aluminium lost 0.54% and SHFE aluminium nudged up. Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange increased further to close at US$ 1839.5 per tonne on Wednesday, January 16. Limited upward momentum settled LME aluminium at US$1841 per tonne, around the five-day moving average. It is likely to trade at US$1,825-1,855 per tonne. As on January 16, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1839 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1839.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1866 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1867 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2005 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$...
Despite a fall in alumina spot price on January 16, the A00 aluminium ingot price continues to record a rise today, on January 17, from RMB 13,240 per tonne to RMB 13,300 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. The ingot price is seen oscillating throughout this month so far. Since the beginning, it has registered a rise for a day or two after consecutive drops. However, today, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,280 per tonne and RMB 13,320 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. As the ingot price increase has touched almost all the major markets in China, the prices in the east market (Wuxi and Hangzhou) have seen a jump by RMB 55 per tonne and RMB 45 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,305 per tonne. In the south and north, the...
The US dollar index jumped to 96.26, the highest since January 4, after data showed that economic growth in Germany slowed in 2018. The pound increased against the euro and the US dollar as the British parliament voted against Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal. Base metals closed mixed as LME aluminium rose over 1%. SHFE aluminium grew over 0.6%. LME aluminium found technical support overnight after five consecutive falls. The contract recovered some gains when it closed at US$ 1810.5 per tonne on January 15 Tuesday. It later closed some 1% higher at US$1,851 per tonne with the highest level overnight at US$1,862 per tonne. It is likely to trade at US$1,845-1,870 per tonne today. As on January 15, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1810 per tonne, LME official settlement...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), now amongst the 1 Million-Club metric tonnes smelters, recorded the highest sales volume and production in 2018. The company closed 2018 with production volume of 1,011,101 tonnes, up by 3% Year-over-Year YoY from 981,016 tonnes in 2017.Alba reported sales volume of 1,012,548 tonnes in 2018, up by 3.5% YoY from 978,195 tonnes in 2017. Alba’s Value-Added (VA) sales were 60% of total shipments in 2018 in comparison to 57% in 2017. Murray said: “What made us successful with recording new highs in 2018 Sales volume and Production is not what will make us successful when ramping-up Line 6. We must transform our mindset as Alba rise to become the largest smelter in the world.” On this occasion, I want to thank our employees and contractors for going the extra...
The US dollar remained flat and the safe-haven yen rose, after an unexpectedly sharp fall in China’s exports grew concerns about the global economy. Base metals fell across the board overnight. LME aluminium edged down and SHFE aluminium fell 0.49%. LME aluminium contract closed Monday’s trading at US$ 1775.5 per tonne.LME aluminium extended declines further during the European trading session, and dipped to a low of US$1,807 per tonne. It settled at US$1,830 per tonne with open interests up 6,980 lots. SMM expects the contract to trade at US$1,810-1,845 per tonne today. As on January 14, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1775 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1775.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1813 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price today, on January 15, has extended its plunge further from RMB 13,240 per tonne to RMB 13,200 per tonne. This marks the second consecutive fall of aluminium ingot prices since the week began. Yesterday, on January 14, the ingot price dropped from RMB 13,310 per tonne to RMB 13,240 per tonne. Today, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,180 per tonne and RMB 13,220 per tonne, with spot discount to settle at RMB 20 per tonne. The aluminium ingot price in the east has fallen by RMB 40 per tonne from RMB 13,235 per tonne to RMB 13,195 per tonne while in the south and north, the prices have dropped by RMB 50 per tonne and RMB 60 per tonne from RMB 13,235 per tonne to RMB 13,210 per tonne and from RMB 13,270...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray kicked-off the first session of the annual ‘Town Hall Meetings’ for 2019 on Sunday, 13 January. Murray unveiled Alba Expectations for 2019 which are: Safety Gateway; Birth of Line 6; Extreme Ownership; and Growth Mindset. Murray said: “I am proud to say that Alba has finished 2018 strong by joining the 1 Million-Club metric tonne per annum; doing so Alba is one of the five smelters in the world with a production of more than 1 million metric tonne per annum. I thank everyone for embracing extreme ownership on Line 6 and for a great job in 2018 especially in terms of controlling our costs. Upon the successful ramp-up of Line 6, Alba will top the list to become the world largest smelter with over 1.5 million metric tonnes per...
The Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) reported that Iran's major aluminium producers' output stood at 249,017 tons during the nine months of FY 2019 or from April 1 to Dec. 21, which registers a 1% drop over the corresponding period of FY 2018. Iran, the first aluminium producer in the Middle East has been producing since 1972. The country has 487,000 tonnes of primary capacity and produces about 338,000 tonnes per year on a standard year, IMIDRO report says. Currently, around 20, 000 tonnes per annum capacity is idled partially due to environmental concerns. Iran’s flagship aluminium producer Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) accounted for 131,345 tons of last year’s reported production, registering a 3% growth year-on-year. The company has...
